Epione is a trauma-informed toolkit that supports couples who have experienced sexual assault by redefining intimacy and creating space to connect in their shared healing journey. The interactive meditative device normalises the effects of trauma by guiding couples through synchronised breathing exercises when experiencing PTSD symptoms. The ring-shaped interactive device encourages couples to connect by synchronising their heart rates and breathing in unison, guided by glowing lights. When in sync, the lights change colour, creating a shared moment of intimacy. The form of the ring signifies connection and the memory foam material gives it a soft, organic feel to facilitate intimacy. The card game creates a safe space to build emotional intimacy through prompts on communicating boundaries and desires. Prompts and questions were crafted in a trauma-informed manner, using gender-neutral language, and colours were chosen with care to avoid any connotations of heteronormativity.

Imagine sharing a quiet moment with your partner, they lean in for a hug and your heart immediately starts racing – that's when you realise you're having a panic attack. This is the experience for many survivors. While there have been more conversations about sexual assault in recent years, the long-lasting effects of trauma and how it affects intimate relationships are often overlooked. One in three women in the world have experienced sexual violence in their lives. 94% of sexual assault survivors display symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as flashbacks and dissociation. Experiencing trauma can make it difficult to connect or feel safe with one's body, making intimacy an anxiety-inducing or triggering experience. The knowledge of their loved ones' assault can make survivors' partners feel helpless and isolated. This project seeks to explore how to help couples who have experienced sexual assault better cope with intimacy issues, as this aspect is often overlooked in the

Epione aims to reduce the stigma surrounding sexual assault by normalising the effects of trauma and addressing different needs during the healing journey. It focuses on redefining intimacy, creating space for couples to explore different ways to connect with each other. While Epione was initially designed for sexual assault survivors, the concept is also applicable to couples who experience anxiety or relationship issues. At a half-day exhibition in Costa Rica, at least three people identified themselves as survivors and expressed appreciation for the project's recognition of the long-term impact of sexual assault. Read about how participating in this project helped a partner of a survivor process his own trauma: https://badbit.org/proyecto-epione/ A localised version of the card game was produced for the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women in Hong Kong to explore what consent and boundaries mean for different people at a sex education fair.